Two contests on the diamond for Escalon’s varsity softball girls were both classified as scrimmages, though the Friday game against Calaveras was originally supposed to be a game. That one ended in a 6-6 tie but Escalon was not able to get in their final at bat.

“It was good competition to see where we’re at,” said head coach Art Brooks of getting on the diamond for some live action, though he was disappointed by not having his team come up with a chance to get the win in their last turn at bat.

In the Lodi scrimmage on Thursday, hosted by Escalon, the varsity girls were leading the game but on that day did come up for their final at bat anyway, tacking on some more runs as they defeated the visiting team.

On Friday, Chardae Hoskins and Bella Strach split the pitching duties and the girls were leading 6-5 when they gave up the tying run.

The varsity squad has some experienced players returning, joined by a solid core making the move up from the JV level, and will also welcome Haley Boyd, who missed last season due to an injury. Molly Brown and Hoskins handled the bulk of the pitching duties last year and will be joined by Strach to split mount time this season.

A busy week ahead for the varsity squad sees the season formally get underway, as they were scheduled to play at Gregori in Modesto on Monday, Feb. 27 and then host Linden on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Thursday, March 2, they are scheduled to be back on the diamond, taking on Bret Harte.

JUNIOR VARSITY

Malinda Walker returns to lead the JV girls again this season, and saw her squad take a loss in a Friday game against Calaveras. The final score was 8-3 in favor of the visitors. They will be busy this week as well, following the same schedule as their varsity counterparts. They were to play at Gregori on Monday and host Linden on Tuesday, both games after The Times went to press. They will be home to host Bret Harte in a Thursday, March 2 game at 3:30 p.m.